Multiple switch.



C. H. KEENEY.

MULTIPLE SWIICH. I

AP PUCATION FILED FEB. 26, 1914. v 1,295,040. Patented Feb.18,' 1919.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTUF? m A TTUFQNE Y5.

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c. H-. KEENEY. MULTIPLE swncH. APPLICATXUN FILED FEB. 26; 1914.1,295,040. Patented Feb. 18, 1919. v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2;

HIHIIl JIIIIIIlIIII 4 7 W ATTUFPNE Y5 CHARLES H. KEENEY, 0F MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN,

ASSIG-NOR TO UNION ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MULTIPLE SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 18, 1919.

Application filed February 26, 1914. Serial No. 821,154.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. KEENEY, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of -Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in MultipleSwitches, of which the following is a description, reference being hadto the accompanymg drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a multiple switch moreparticularly adapted for use in starting or controlling electric motorsof large power and used in connection with the rheostat thereof.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a multipleswitch which may be used for starting or for controlling duty whenassociated with a rheostat and a motor, and which is also adapted forother uses requiring a plurality of switches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch inwhich the switches may be closed one at a time in defi nite order andwill be automatically held in closed positions and also automaticallyswung to open position under predetermined conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch whichmay, in the controller form, be arranged to hold and automaticallyrelease any number of the switch elements from the on position,

and in the starter form to only hold and automatically release theswitch elements, when all of them are in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch inwhich the switch elements are closed in definite order and with a timeperiod between the closure of each switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch inwhich all of the switch elements are moved to their respective closeding handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch inwhich the major portion of the parts may be formed from commercial metaland stampings.

'A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple switch ofsimple construction, strong and durable and which is well adapted forthe purpose described.

positions by a single actuat- With the above and other objects in View,the invention consists of the improved multiple switch and its arts andcombinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

- In the accompanying drawings-in which the same reference charactersindicate the same parts in all of the views: I

Figure 1 is a front view of the improved controller form of the multipleswitch with all of the switch elements shown in closed position, theview also showing the electrical connections in diagrammatic form;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, the operating lever also being indicatedin open posi tion by dotted lines; a

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the switch elements and the operatinglever being shown in open position;

Fig. leis a transverse sectional detail view taken on line 4-4 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional detail View taken on line 66 of Fig. 5;I

Fig. 7 is a similar view takenon line 7'T of the same figure;

Flg. 8 1s a fragmentary front view of the switch modified to serve as astarter;

- Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 99 of Fig..8; and

Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 9. v 7Referring to the drawing the numeral 12 indicates an insulating panel,of slate or other suitable material, upon the face of which the switchismounted. The switch comprises a series of switch elements or levers 13fulcrumed at their lower ends 14' to a transversely positioned pivot rod15' which is mounted in end brackets 16 bolted on the insulating panel.The upper ends of the levers carry brushes 17 which are adapted tobridge contact plates 18 and 19' mounted in spaced relation on the slatewhen the levers are successively swung to closed positions. The leversare thus swung by means of cam members 20 mounted fixedly on atransversely extending'shaft 21 which extends throughand is journaled inthe end brackets 16. The cam members engage anti-friction rollers 22which are journaled between the projecting ears of the U-shaped holders23, and these holders taken are fastened to and project outwardly fromthe lower end portions of the levers 13. The cam members are all ofsimllar shape and are mounted in stepped arrangement on- I the shaftsothat when the shaft is revolved approximately a half turn, the camportion 20' of the first cam to the left will engage the first switchelement and the other simia ratchet wheel 24 fixedly mounted thereon,

which is prov'ded with teeth 24" around'approximately one-half itsperiphery and these teeth bear a fixed relative position with the camportions of the cam members so that whei'i the cam is revolved the teethwill be successively engaged by a. gravity holding awl 25. The holdingpawl is pivoted on one end of the pivot rod 15 and depends therefrom andengages one tooth of the wheel coincident with the closure of eachswitch and holds the respective switch in closed position.

The shaft 21 is intermittently moved step by step by an. oscillatoryhand lever 26 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 21 between theratchet wheel 24 and the end bearing 16 adjacent thereto. A gravity pawl27 pivoted to the hand lever is provided with a pin like proiection 2'8eX-tendin'g from the side of the paw a direction toward the hand levelwhich is adapted to ride on the outer curve-d edge 29' of a guardplate30" during the major portion of the movement of' the h and lever.The guard plate surrounds the shaft 21 and is interposed between thehand lever and the ratchet wheel andis prevented from turning by theengagement of its flat edge 31 with the face, of the panel 12. The outercurved edge 29 of the guard plate concentric with reference to theratchet wheel and projects beyond the peripheral edge thereof and servesto hold thepawl 27 out of engagement. with the ratchet wheel, untilthehand lever nearly reached the end of its u ward movement. The upperpart 32- of the guard is formed at an angle and is radially below theplane ofthe, ratchet wheel so that as the hand" lever is": swungupwardly and nearly reaches the of its movement, the projectiers of"Te). pawl will ride on" the guard and the will engage a tooth and thefurther meverfienj-t ofthe hand lever will revolve the ratchet wheel"the distance of one tooth and permit the herding pawlito en age the nexttooth mrthus revolve the cams and swing the switch levers intermittentland succes'' lfiil Wltltl their respective contacts. i

The lever also carries an armature 33" ivotally mounted thereon whichengages the pole pistes Qf'an' electr'omagnet 34 mounted on: the panelwhen the handlever is swung to its upper position.

The electromagnet is included in the field circuit 85 oi'an electricmotor 36- and is adapted to magnetically hold the lever in its upperposition and to automatically release the lever upon weakening of saidcircuit below a predetermined extent.

The contacts 19 are connected; to a resistance 37 which is included inthe armature circuit 38" of theinotor and the contact 18 common to allof the switch l ver-s iscon: nected to a line wire 3 9"; A line wire-40' is also connected tothe motor. K v

In order to automatically return thecams to their initial positionwhenthe hand lever is released a retrieving spring 40 is provided which ismounted onthe end of the shaft 21 opposite to the end upon which thehand. lever is mounted and the spring at one end is connected to theadjacent end bracl'r'et and 7 its other end is connected to a collar 451mounted on and, bolted to the shaft 21.

They inner end of the oscillatory hand lever is in the form of. a cam 42' which engages" a projection 43 extending ii'nvardllv from the holdingpawl. and swings said pawl out of engagement with the ratchet" wheelwhen the hand lever reaches its lower position. When the holdin pawl hasreleased the ratchet wheel the retrieving spring will, of course,revolve the shaft and theflcams and permit the switch levers to swing bygravity to open position. a r

A stop bumper 44' of rubber or other yielding material is mounted ontheinner face" of the left hand end. bracket and is adapted to fixedlymounted on the shaft.

Inv order to keep. down the cost of manuiacture, parts have been formedof stampbe ei'igaged by the shouldered stop collar 455 iii-gs andcommercial channel iron as shown in the drawings. In the construction ofthe cam members it will be noted that they are all. of the sameshape,and are secured to spacing collars' 46 fixedly mounted: on the shaft21', by rods 47 which pass through openings irrthe collars and theearns, the cam openings being diiier'ently positioned with relation tothe cam; portions of the cam mem; bers. It will also ben'oted that theswitch levers are formed of channel iron having stamped U-shaped eyedmembers 48 which fulcil'uni the leversto the pivot rod 1 5 and also U-sliaped. roller holders 459 in which the anti-friction rollers 22 areournaled. These members are connected to the lower. ends of I the switchlevers by rivets or in any other man nerldesi-red. I

U-shaped hrush holders 50 are also pro;

vided for attaching the brushes to the upper ends of the switch leverslhe medial portions of the brushes are: inserted between the side;flanges ot' the. Ursha'ped holders and are held ,in position by holts elwhich' pass through the brushes and the holders and the switch members.The first and last two switch levers are in double form to provide forinitially completing the circuit and for carrying the full load when allof the resistance is cut out.

In the operation of the controller form of switch just described thefirst upward oscillation of the hand lever will cause the lever pawl toengage one tooth of the ratchet wheel, and turn said wheel and the shaftand the cams fixedly connected thereto the distance of one tooth fromthe other. This movement will cause the first double switch to the leftto be moved by its associated cams to bridge the first contact to theleft and the common contact and complete the circuit to the motor andenergize the electro magnet. In this position the holding pawl willengage one of the ratchet teeth and will hold the wheel and shaft whilethe hand lever remains in its upper position. If it is now desired torun the motor at its slowest rat-e of speed the hand lever is left inits upper position and will'be thus held by the electromagnet. If it isnow desired to increase the speed of the motor the hand lever is pulleddownwardly a sufiicient distance to permit the lever pawl to engage thenext tooth and is .thenswung upwardly so that the holding pawl will dropinto locking engagement with the next tooth to the one formerly engagedand in this manner any number of the switch elements desired may beswung into engagement with their respective contacts and the hand leverwill be held by the magnet with any number of the switch members inclosed position.

Now assuming that the motor is running and the hand lever is held by themagnet and the current is weakened to an extent to cause damage ifquickly resumed without the resistance being included in the armaturecircuit. In this event the magnet would release the hand lever and itwould swing to its lower position and in swinging the cam portion of thehand lever will disengage the holding pawl from the teeth of the ratchetwheel and the spring will revolve the cams to their initial position andthe switch levers will swing in reverse order to open position.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 a field circuit switch52 is mounted on the panel to adapt the switch for use as a starter. Thefield switch is pivoted to the panel and is under spring tension tonormally engage a short circuit button 53 and to be swung into contactwith a circuit button 54: when the last switch lever 18 is swung toclosed position by means of a pin 55 projecting from said lever 13 whichengages an angled member 56 mounted on the field switch.

The holding magnet 34' of the starter form of switch is included in thefield circuit wire 35 and this circuit also includes the field switch 52and the contact button 54 so that when the last switch element is inclosed position with the field switch engaging the contact button 54 theholding magnet will be energized and hold the hand lever in the mannerbefore described. A short circuit connection 57 between the contactbutton 53 and the end lead 58 of the magnet serves to short circuit theholding magnet while the last switch element is in open position and thefield switch is in contact with the button 53.

The operation of the starter form of switch is the same as thecontroller form with the exception that the oscillatory hand lever willnot be retained by the holding magnet until all of the switch elementsare in closed position and the armature resistance is cut out of themotor circuit.

WVhile the multiple switch has been described in connection with a motorit is to be understood that it is also applicable to other structureswhere a multiple control is desired.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the multipleswitch is well adapted to perform the function described.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, anactuating member for closing said switch elements in definite order by aplurality of movements of said member, means for holding the switchelements in closed position, and means automatically releasable forholding the actuating member in a position to maintain the switchelements in closed position, said actuating member having a portionwhich co acts with the switch element holding means and causes saidmeans to release the switch elements when said member is in a certainposition.

2. A multiple switch, comprising a plu rality of switch elements, cammeans for closing said switch elements in definite order, a lever tomove the cam means to close the switch elements, locking means forholding the switch elements in closed position, and means automaticallyreleasable for holding the lever in a position to maintain the lockingmeans and the switch elements in closed position, said actuating memberhaving a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means andcauses said means to release the switch elements when said lever is in acertain position.

3. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, aplurality of cams for closing the switch elements in definite order,said cams being connected together to move as a unitary member, a leverfor intermittently moving the cams to close the switch elements, lockingmeans for holding the switch elements in closed position, and meansautomatically releasable for holding the lever" in a position tomaintain the switch elements in closed position, said actuating memberhaving a portion which coacts with the switch element holding means andcauses said means to release the switch elements when said lever is in acertain position.-

4 A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switchelements, revoluble cams for swinging the switch elements to closedposition in successive and definite order, said cams being connectedtogether to move as a unitary member, a hand lever for intermittentlyrevolving the cams to close the switch elements, locking means forholding the switch elements in closed position, and magnetic means forautomatically releasably holding the lever in a position to maintain theswitch elements in a closed position, said hand lever having a portionwhich coacts with the switch element holding means and causes said meansto release the switch elements when the lever is in a certain position.

5. A; multiple switch, comprising a plu- (rality of ful'crumed switchelements, a shaft having a plurality of cams fiXedly mounted thereon forswinging the switch elements to closed position in successive anddefinite order, aratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a handlever loosely mounted on the shaft and carrying a pawl for engaging andrevolving the ratchet wheel intermittently to swing the switch elementsto closed position, a locking pawl for holding the ratchet wheel duringthe retrieving movements of the hand lever, said hand lever having aportion which coacts with the locking pawl for causing said pawl torelease the ratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position, andmagnetic means for automatically releasably holding the lever in aposition to maintain the switch elements in a closed position.

6. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contactsmounted on the panel, a pivot rod and a shaft mounted on the panel, aplurality of switch elements fulcrumed on the rod and having brusheswhich are adapted to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fixedlymounted on theshaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement andpositioned to engage and move the switch elements into bridgingengagement' with the contacts in successive and definite order, aratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mountedon the shaft and having a pawl arranged to engage and revolve the wheelintermittently to move the switch elements successively to closedpositions, a. locking pawl engagingth'eratchet wheel for holding thewheel during theretrieving movement of the hand lever, said handleve'rhaving a portion which coacts with the locking awl for causing said pawlto release theratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position,and electromagnetic meansfor holding the hand lever in a position tomaintain one or more of the switch elements in closed position.

7. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a pluralityof contacts mountedon the panel, a pivot rod and-a shaft mounted on the pawl, a pluralityof switch elements fulcrumed on the rod and having brushes which areadapted to bridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fiX-edl-y mounted onthe shaft with their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned;to engage and move the switch elements into bridging engagement withthecontacts in successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedlymounted on the shaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft andhaving a pawl arranged to engage and revolve the wheel intermittently tomove the switch elements successively to closed positions, means forholding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel until the handlever has almost reached the upper end of its" movement, a locking pawlengaging the ratchet wheel for holding, the wheel during the retrievingmovement of the hand lever, said hand lever having a portion whichcoacts with the locking pawl for causing said pawl to release theratchet wheel when said lever is in a certain position. andelectromagnetic means for holding the hand lever in aposition tomaintain one or more oftheswitch elements in closed position. p I

8. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contactsmounted on the panel, a pivot rod and a shaft mounted on the panel, aplurality of switch elements ful crumed on the rod and having brushes tobridge the contacts, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on the shaftwith their cam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned to engageand move the switch elements into bridging-engagement with. the contactsin successive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on theshaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having pawlarranged to engage and revolve the wheel intermittently to move theswitch elements successively to closed positions, a guard memberpositioned adjacent to the ratchet wheel and having a curved portionprojecting radially beyond the periphery of the ratchet wheel upon whichthe pawl rides and is held out of engagement with the teeth of theratchet wheel during the greater portion of the movement of. the handlever, a locking pawl engaging the ratchet wheel for holding the wheelduring the retrieving movement of the hand lever,

lot

said hand lever having a portion which coacts with the locking pawl forcausing said pawl to release the ratchet wheel when said lever is in acertain position, and electromagnetic means for holding the hand leverin a position to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closedposition.

9. A multiple switch, comprising a panel, a plurality of contactsmounted thereon, end brackets mounted on the panel, a pivot rod and ashaft supported by the brackets, a plurality of switch elementsfulcrumed on the rod and having brushes which are adapted to bridge thecontacts, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on the shaft with theircam portions in stepped arrangement and positioned to engage and movethe switch elements into bridging engagement with the contacts insuccessive and definite order, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on theshaft, a hand lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having a pawlarranged to engage and revolve the ratchet wheel intermittently to movethe switch elements successively to closed positions when the hand leveris oscillated, a guard member positioned adjacent to the ratchet wheeland having a curved portion projecting radially beyond the periphery ofthe ratchet wheel upon which the pawl rides and is held out ofengagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel during the greaterportion ofthe movement of the hand lever, a locking pawl engaging theratchet wheel for holding the ratchet wheel during the retrievingmovement of the hand lever, the hand lever being provided with a portionfor disengaging the locking pawl from the ratchet wheel when the handlever is swung to its lower position, and electromagnetic means forholding the hand lever in a position to maintain one or more of theswitch elements in closed position.

10. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, anoscillatory member for closing the switches in successive and definiteorder, a locking means for holding the switches in closed position, saidoscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch elementholding means and causes said means to release the switch elements whensaid member is in a certain position, and means for holding theoscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more of the switchelements in closed position.

11. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, anoscillatory member for closing the switches in definite and successiveorder, means for holding the switch elements in closed position, saidoscillatory member having a portion which coacts with the switch elementholding means and causes said means to release the switch elements whensaid member is in a certain position, and electromagnetic meansautomatically releasable for holding the oscillatory member in aposition to maintain the switch elements in closed position.

12. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, a handoperated oscillatory member for closing the switch successive order,

elements in definite and means for holding the switch elements in closedposition, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with theswitch element holding means and causes said means to release the switchelements when said member is in a certain position, and means forholding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more ofthe switch elements in closed position, the switch elements whenreleased by the holding means moving to open position in definite andsuccessive order reverse to their closing movement.

13. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of switch elements, a handoperated oscillatory member for closing the switch elements in definiteand successive order, means for holding the switch elements in closedposition, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with theswitch element holding means and causing said means to release theswitch elements when said member is in a certain position, andelectromagnetic means automatically releasable for holding theoscillatory member in a position to maintain the switch elements inclosed position, the switch elements when released by theelectromagnetic means moving to open position in definite and successiveorder reverse to their closing movement.

14. A multiple switch-comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switchelements, cam means for closing the switch elements in definite andsuccessive order, a hand operated oscillatory member for moving the cammeans to close one switch element at each upward movement of the saidoscillatory member, means for holding the switch elements in closedposition, said oscillatory member having a portion which coacts with theswitch element holding means and causes said means to release the switchelements when said member is in a certain position, and means forholding the oscillatory member in a position to maintain one or more ofthe switch elements in closed position, the switch elements whenreleased moving to open position to definite and successive orderreverse to their closing movement.

15. A multiple switch, comprising a plurality of fulcrumed switchelements, cam means for closing the switch elements in definite andsuccessive order, a hand operated oscillatory member for moving the cammeans to close one switch element at each upward movement of the saidoscillatory member, means for holding the switch elements in closedposition, said oscillatory member having a portion which coaots with theswitch element holding means and causes said means to release the switchelement when said member is in a eertain position, and electromagnetiomeans automatically 1eleasable for holding the oscillatory member in aposition to maintain one or more of the switch elements in closedposition, the switch elements when released moving to open posi- Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. KEENEY.

Witnesses KA HERIM HOL Sonopz.

G p this pa ent y he ob ain d tor fiv ents ch, y ade essing th Gommisipner or ratentsQ Wa hing n, D- 0-

